Hall of Fame
The most prolific scorer in the history of NAIA men’s soccer, Gary Woodward was inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 2, 1993. A native of West Chester, Pa., Woodward scored a national record 117 goals while playing for Coach Jim “Catfish” Cole’s teams from 1968-71. Woodward also added 78 assists in only 67 games during his career.
A three-time All-South Region performer, Woodward led the NAIA District 26 in scoring in each of his four seasons. He scored in all 16 games during his senior year, a mark that still stands in the Campbell record books, along with tallying 38 goals in ’71.
In 1970, Woodward scored a school-record seven goals in one match against Monmouth in the Campbell Soccer Classic.
As a sophomore and junior, Woodward led Campbell to its first-ever berths in the NAIA National Tournament. Campbell’s overall record during his four-year career was 55-7-4. He was named District 29 Most Valuable Player in 1971 and earned all-district recognition in his last three seasons.
Woodward was also chosen as MVP of the Area V playoffs in both 1970 and 1971 in addition to being named team MVP as a senior.
He began coaching youth soccer in 1981 and was a longtime coach and supporter of the Richmond (Va.) Strikers program. He passed away Dec. 9, 2019 at the age of 70.
